Nissan Announces Manufacturing Leadership Changes

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Nissan today announced that Dan Bednarzyk, currently vice president of the Nissan Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant in Mississippi, is named to the newly created position of vice president, Total Delivered Cost, effective May 13.

In this role, Bednarzyk will lead Nissan's efforts to maximize the company's total delivered cost efficiency across all model lines produced in North and South America. Bednarzyk will focus on lowering total manufacturing costs including those associated with raw material, purchased parts, fixed and variable labor, logistics and general administration.

"Dan's extensive experience in manufacturing and his successful leadership of the Nissan Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant will help him drive total delivered cost improvements across all our manufacturing operations," said Bill Krueger, senior vice president, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Production Engineering and Supply Chain Management.

Bednarzyk joined Nissan in 1985 in Manufacturing Engineering and has since held a number of positions including engineering, trim/chassis, body, stamping and maintenance as well as a foreign service assignment with Nissan in Japan. Bednarzyk holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Tennessee Tech University and an MBA from Middle Tennessee State University.

"David has played a key role in accelerating Nissan's manufacturing growth in his nearly 30-year career with the company," said Krueger. "David's strong leadership qualities and attention to quality will be vital as the plant in Canton ramps up production of new models to the line."

Aldana joined Nissan in 1985 as deputy general manager at the Nissan Civac Plant in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and has since held a number of manufacturing management positions in Mexico and the U.S. Aldana holds a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from National Polytechnic Institute.

Aldana's replacement will be named at a later date.

About Nissan North America In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.9 million vehicles in 2012, generating revenue of 9.4 trillion yen ($US118.95 billion) in fiscal 2011. With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of 64 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades, including the prestigious 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan and 2011 World Car of the Year awards.